Monthly Archives: July 2014

Electric heating and cooling systems are referred to in different ways, including multi-split, mini-split (ductless), and split-zoning. Unlike the traditional central air conditioner, these units are created with split designs and without a complex system of ducts.

The mini-splits control temperature individually by using a singular indoor air-handler to be controllable by each independent room. It provides individual room comfort that is controllable to that particular room or space. It's described as a split system because it consists of indoor equipment and outdoor equipment which is connected by a pipe known as a line set. Split system air conditioners come in two main forms; mini-split and central systems. The mini-split is an attractive option as opposed to a window or a through-the-wall unit. These type of systems are used to condition a specific space. Configurations differ, allowing from one to eight indoor units per unit outdoors. With a central air conditioning, the heat-exchanger inside is normally placed within the furnace/air handler unit of forced air heating system. It is then utilized in the summer months to allocate refrigerated air all through a space, room or building. These are commonly larger and placed in a cellar or upper floor attic.
Considered excellent for regulating the temperatures within a single room, the mini split systems supply control with the attached indoor component, resulting in elevated SEER levels. The footprint enables you to mount it in additional locations for less obtrusive installations. The electric split system offers inverters in multi-split system air conditioners. The feature is a ground-breaking design that allows up to eight indoor units to be connected to a solitary outdoor unit.

Typical duct-work in most homes loses 20-40% of heating and cooling generated due to leakage or conduction. Using ductless technology like the mini split system, indoor units can be installed in any room, or multiple rooms. This provides a perfect solution to heating or cooling exactly where it may be needed and when it is needed.

These mini split systems provide energy efficient, silent and environmentally friendly solutions for comfort. They are radically more efficient than conventional central air systems. They use inverter-driven compressors. The mini split systems also automatically regulate to altering conditions to distribute ideal comfort only utilizing the energy that needed. You can condition the rooms you are in while other rooms turn off or will setback. Zoning your home allows you to save power while maximizing your individual comfort.

If you’re a homeowner or live in any type of housing complex, you know the feeling of receiving your utility bills each month and feeling your stomach drop at the numbers. Whether you want to lower your home expenses, be more environmentally conscious, or both, having knowledge of which systems of your home are consuming the most energy and how to reduce their consumption will be instrumental.

Heating
It’s tempting to turn the heating as far up as it can go when winter rolls around each year. However, this convenient household system is responsible for the largest percentage of the energy consumed by most houses. This is especially true for those who live in colder regions or who have particularly cold winters. Fortunately, it is easy to reduce the amount of energy used by your heater: Simply reduce the heat setting on your thermostat. Doing this might warrant donning a few more layers inside the home, but it is much easier to put on more layers or even use alternative sources of heat like a fireplace than it is to remove layers of clothing when the temperature gets swelteringly hot. Speaking of which, this brings us to a perfect segue into the next household appliance that is vacuuming the money from your wallet.

Air Conditioning
Unfortunately, one of the things we rely on the most to keep us cool during the warm months is also adding more and more digits to our electricity bills and consuming masses of energy. With 87 percent of U.S. households equipped with air conditioning systems as reported in 2009, it is easy to see why such a large portion of energy is spent on this luxury. The solution to minimizing this consumption, however, follows the same principle as the heating system: Adjust the thermostat. Opt for methods of cooling that don't utilize electricity in any way, such as ice buckets, cold drinks, and staying closing the shutters to keep sunlight from warming up your home. Ideally, utilize a combination of both natural methods and a low setting on your air conditioning to reach a comfortable temperature without your electricity bills going through the roof.

Water Heater
There's nothing better than the feeling of taking a hot shower after a long day. But sadly, yes, your water heater is responsible for a big portion of your home's energy consumption. In fact, it takes up about 18 percent of your utility bill on average. To combat this, you can do things as simple as taking shorter showers and turning the temperature of your water down a little bit. But if you want to implement a longer-lasting solution consider installing an on-demand water heater. This way, you can control when your water heater is on or off, thus saving you money and conserving energy.

Packed heat pumps are used to either cool a house during the hot summer seasons, or heat it up when the weather gets cold. They are designed to operate efficiently in any climate, making them wonderful additions to any home. While they do take a little bit of effort to install since they require a duct system for the home, this is easy done by a professional at little to no charge when purchasing one of these systems.How Are They Efficient?
Packaged heat pumps use coils to transfer heat from the outdoors to the inside of your home. This makes them most effective in mild temperatures. When it's mildly warm, they can effectively pull heat from the air and coil transfer it into the home to heat it up. This transfer is done through liquid refrigerant that is placed within the system's coils, which then can absorb heat from the outdoors, even when there is very little, and turn it into a gas. As the gas is turned back into a liquid, the indoor coil absorbs it and releases this heat into the home.

This whole process uses heat that is already there instead of creating it like most systems. This means that it will use a lot less energy than most other heating systems, making packaged heat pumps a viable option over other methods.Packaged Heat Pump Tips for Maximum Efficiency
- When using a packaged heat pump along with an electric furnace, place the heat pump on the colder side of it, usually upstream. This will give it better efficiency.
- Sometimes, these systems can be pretty noisy. Try to find a system that has a sound rating of 7.6 or below, unless you're able to place your packaged heat pump further from the home than normal. Place the pump on a noise absorption plate could also help reduce the sound it makes.
- Keep your system out of the wind. This can cause frosting problems in the Winter, and can also make it less effective at absorbing heat or cold from the outside. The location of your system is very important.
- Get a pump with defrost control. This will help reduce energy costs in colder seasons.Conclusion
Packaged heat pumps are an effective solution for heating or cooling your home. With a little bit of work, you can easily save thousands on your energy bill each year! Just make sure that you pick a quiet system with effective controls. Also, look for the ENERGY STAR® label to ensure that you are saving the most energy for the price.

As we're in the heart of air conditioner season, you may find yourself dealing with an expired condenser fan motor. Fortunately, this is a repair that can be done by non-professionals. Start by confirming the issue is in fact a motor in need of replacement. Begin by turning off the power to the A.C. unit. Then manually try spinning the fan blade. If the blade does not turn freely, the motor is in need of replacement.

Most air conditioner models will allow you to replace the expired part with a universal condenser fan motor. But in using a substitution, certain criteria must be met. So before purchasing a replacement make sure you taken notes from the original unit on the following:
• Motor Diameter In Inches
• Horsepower Rating-be aware the some A.C. units have more than one
• Operating Voltage-units can range from 115-460
• Motor Shaft Size In Inches
• RPM Speed
• Direction Of Rotation
• Mounting (not all units are mounted in the same way)

This is not exactly a DIY project unless you have the technical expertise to do it. Please do not attempt to perform this service unless you are a qualified professional and have all the proper tools and safety equipment. If in doubt, please contact a reputable local HVAC company that can install your new fan motor for your condenser.

Once you're ready to install your universal fan motor, start by shutting down all electric supply to the AC unit via the breaker box for safety precautions; it's very important that you do not skip this step. Before removing anything, take note of the motor's wiring (what colors of wiring, how they are connected, etc.). The fan and motor can now be dismantled, which is generally done by removing bolts on the band that secures the motor. In some units, these bolts are actually attached directly to the motor. Now remove the fan blade. Before doing so, take note of the blade's position on the shaft. Loosen the screws, and remove the blade from the motor shaft by twisting and tugging. Once the old unit is out, to install the new one, simply reverse the process described above. Be especially careful when reinstalling the fan blade. Make sure the blade is centered in the fan motor's opening.

But you're not quite done. Every time you replace a condenser fan motor, you should also replace the A.C.'s run capacitor, which is a cylinder-shaped device that helps to start or run motors. To replace it, again take down all technical data on the unit, and note wiring colors and positions before removing it with a screw driver. As with the fan condenser motor, your run capacitor replacement selection is based on its technical data, not shape or size.

To install the new capacitor, reverse its removal process, but before replacing any covering and reactivating the A.C., go stand outside by the A.C. and wait for the contractor to come on. When it does, it will buzz or hum and may take several minutes to do so. After hearing the contractor, replace the covering and restore power. Test the A.C. to make sure fan and cool air production are normal before you resume using it.

In simple terms, a gas furnace is an indoor unit designed to circulate warm air (heated within the furnace) or cool air (generally taken from an outdoor unit) throughout a home. A gas furnace contains the following main components: a burner, a heat exchanger, ductwork, and a flue or vent pipe. This article will detail these main components and where they are located within a furnace.

The burner component of a gas furnace is a heating element that warms the gas entering the furnace. Usually located at the bottom of the unit (although occasionally located on the sides), the burner uses a small flame normally ignited with a pilot light. In modern furnaces, pilot lights are ignited automatically, much like an automobile's spark plugs.

Heat exchangers look similar to metal snakes that extend upwards from the burner. This component takes the warm air created below and transfers it to the heat distribution system (duct work). Heat exchangers are crucial to a furnace's functionality as they integrate the heat with the air that’ll be sent throughout the home. When a homeowner has their furnace inspected, it’s important to locate the exchanger and check for any cracks or leaks as these can lead to a furnace running less efficiently.

The ductwork component of a gas furnace is the system that distributes air throughout a home. Beginning at the top of a furnace, ductwork is composed of sheet metal or plastic tubing that extends from the furnace and continues throughout the home, thus bringing air to different locations within a home. Ducts must be inspected and cleaned regularly as a clogged duct can restrict the flow of air. Mold or other contaminants can also build up within ductwork, causing serious safety issues for home occupants.

Flue pipes or vent pipes are a vital component of gas furnaces, as they take the byproducts produced through combustion and expel them from the home. The flue pipe is a larger metal tube that extends out of the furnace and leads to a vent on the exterior of a home. It is important that a flue is installed correctly to ensure that hazardous materials will not escape. Furnace vents should be checked along with a regular furnace inspection.

Gas furnaces are an efficient way to warm and cool a home. It is recommended to be familiar with a unit's main components, as well as inspecting it regularly. This will ensure that a gas furnace is operating safely and adequately, protecting a home's occupants while keeping energy costs low.

While you can still find basic thermostats available online and in some local stores, many of the top models of thermostats are intelligent systems that are designed to help you better control your central heating and cooling systems. All thermostats enable you to set a desired temperature for the home or commercial building, and they communicate the system to tell it when to turn on and off. However, smart thermostats of today and new thermostats that are being designed for tomorrow go a step above and beyond to give you a superior overall experience.

Internet and Mobile CapabilitiesSmart thermostats available on the market today have Internet-based functions, and some of these are available for you to access via a smart phone or through specific apps. They may allow you to check on the temperature setting in your home or workplace while you’re away and to make changes as desired. They may also enable you to customize settings with automated or timer features. While these features may be provided to you through remote access, you can also control the system through a touchscreen unit installed on the wall. Many of the most modern touchscreens available are user-friendly and are customizable based on your preferences.

Alerts and Reminders
In addition, smart thermostats give you the enhanced ability to control or monitor the indoor environment as well as to care for your AC and heating units. For example, in addition to alerts for extreme hot or cold temperatures, they may also have alerts for humidity levels inside the building. These alerts may be dispatched on the thermostat as well as through text messages or email messages to your smart phone, and they help you to minimize energy consumption.

Some advanced thermostats may also provide you with heating and cooling system maintenance reminders. For example, they may tell you when it’s time to schedule annual maintenance on your HVAC system or when you need to change your air filters. Thermostats of the future may be so fine-tuned and precise that they can pinpoint when repair service is needed before you notice any signs of a repair issue.

When the time comes to replace your thermostat, take a closer look at some of the more innovative and advanced models available. While these may have a slightly higher up-front cost than the basic models of thermostats, they provide you with considerable benefits that others do not. These benefits make it easier and simpler to control or adjust your indoor environment and to maintain your heating and cooling system.

The cost of a new residential or commercial air conditioning system may range from a couple of thousand dollars to considerably more. The total price that you pay may be related to the BTU rating of the unit, the energy efficiency and other related factors. When you’re interested in making an AC unit purchase, you may understandably be focused on finding the best value available. You may not realize it, but you can purchase an AC unit with wholesale pricing, and there are several benefits associated with this.

A Greater Selection
When you purchase an AC unit from a retailer, you may have a limited selection of products to choose from. This is because a retailer may only carry a few models from a couple of manufacturers. In some cases, you may find the ideal unit for your needs in this limited selection. However, more often than not, you may feel as though you’re settling for a unit that’s not quite right, simply because it’s the best option available. When you work with a wholesaler, you’ll have access to all of the models of AC units made by that manufacturer, and this means that you may be more likely to find the perfect system for your needs.

No Middleman
An air conditioning system wholesaler typically provides discounted rates on AC units to retailers, but you may be able to take advantage of these low rates as a consumer. Retailers will mark up the price of the AC units so that they make a profit when they sell the unit to you, but this mark-up is eliminated when you purchase the unit from a wholesaler. Essentially, this is a great way for you to better control the cost of your unit. You’ll enjoy a lower rate on the unit, and you can negotiate or shop around for the best rate on labor costs for the installation.

The cost of a new air conditioner for a home or commercial building can be considerable, and you may be wondering where the best place is to make your purchase. At National Air Warehouse, we carry a wide selection of units, parts, and accessories to choose from at affordable prices.

The cost effectiveness of the mini- split system is achieved through the energy efficiency of the system and its drastically reduced cost that is associated with operating it. In order to fully understand its capabilities of saving you some money, it’s important to understand how the system operates and why it is more energy efficient.

Mini-split systems are sometimes referred to as ductless air conditioners. Unlike central air conditioners that have one unit that is located outdoors attached to ductwork which then feeds cool air into every room of the house, mini- split systems do not use ductwork. Instead, they typically have metallic lines that are fed directly into a room and operate in much the same fashion as a window unit because they are often utilized to provide cooling to a single room or to a single area of the home. When they were first developed, they were used almost exclusively to cool either one room or one small area of the house. However, as technology has continued to advance concerning mini- split systems, it has become more prevalent to find units that are used to cool the entire home.

As previously mentioned, there’s no ductwork that feeds into vents that are located either in the floor or the ceiling of homes which then produces cool air. Instead, the air’s fed directly into the room via a thin metallic line. This is a more effective way of cooling because the energy efficiency is not lost as it leaks around the ductwork, as is often the case with central air conditioning. In turn, it costs far less to cool a home in this fashion as opposed using central air.

Currently, the systems are still relatively rare in many homes. Some customers aren’t even aware that they have the option of purchasing such a system. However, they can be very effective in homes that have multiple levels. Anyone that has ever attempted to utilize central air conditioning to cool a home that is two or three stories knows how difficult it can be to provide effective cooling for every room of the home, especially on the upper levels. Many people that have multi-level homes and utilize central air conditioning find themselves supplementing the air conditioning with window units. This can become very expensive when the cost of purchasing a window unit for each room is added to the additional cost for energy that is required each month to operate all of these units. Utilizing a mini- split system is a far better option because it has the potential to cool each room of the house individually with a single system and thereby alleviates the need to purchase additional sources of cooling.

Technology’s still evolving concerning the systems that are used in homes today. There’s little doubt that as they become more popular and the technology is perfected even further, they’ll become more readily available and will be used to cool the entire structure without any additional source of cooling. In addition, the savings that users of these systems can see makes it worth installing them because it has the potential to save people a great deal of money over time.

Many people use air conditioners and heating systems, but very few people actually know how they work. As far as most people know, you turn on the thermostat and the rest is taken care of from there. However, there’s much more than meets the eye when it comes to heating and air. When it comes to these systems, heating pump condensers are an important aspect that many have seen, but few have considered.

Many may have seen the large box outside of buildings that have central heating and cooling. With these units, there are two main parts. One’s the evaporator that takes heat and turns it into cool, and then the condenser which takes the heat and forces it outside. It works because it makes the refrigerant change from a gas to a liquid using condensation. The heating pump condenser is located on the outside of the building or home.

All condensers are made of the same base parts. The main piece is the condenser coil which contains the refrigerant, but it also contains a fan and a compressor. The coil is often made of copper and aluminum, or it can be made completely of aluminum so heat can be properly transferred. The fan is used to circulate air to best facilitate heat transfer. The compressor is used to compress the refrigerant and pump it into the coil in a gaseous state. In the heating pump condenser, the gas is pumped into the evaporator coil to provide heat.

Heat pump condensers have a bit more to them than that of regular condensers. They have a few more components such as a defrost timer, adjustable temperature sensor, and a reversing valve. All of these parts are very important in making the machine as a whole work. The reversing valve directs the gas to the condenser coil for cooling, or to the evaporator coil for heating. When the condenser coil gets frosted over, the defrost control will switch the fan off causing the coil to heat up and melt the ice. The defrost control will switch the fan back on once the coil is running efficiently again.

Due to the fact that heat pump condensers need to exchange heat with air, they must be installed outdoors to be able to work as intended. If heat is released outside, it won’t change the outside temperature. However, if the unit is kept inside, it’ll alter the temperature. The installation of the heat pump condenser can be done by oneself if desired. Most units will come with installation instructions as well as information about how to inspect your model. Diagrams and picture references are often given as well as a list of tools needed to complete the installation.